Speed skater Shani Davis just gave me another reason to watch the upcoming Vancouver Winter Olympic Games besides the anticipated USA-Canada women's hockey showdown. In 1980, Dr. Eric Heiden won a record five speed skating gold medals at the Winter Olympics held in Lake Placid. He is the only man who has done so.
When the cauldron is lit and the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games start on February 12, Shani Davis will attempt to match that feat. He's qualified for the 500m, 1000m, 1500m and the 5,000m and 10,000m long distance races.
Shani Davis is the first African American male to win a Winter Olympic gold medal, He is the three-time 1500m and two-time 1000m world champion, the world record holder at 1000m and 1500m, and the defending Olympic champion at 1000m. If you've seen a few more kids of African descent at your local speed skating oval, you have Shani Davis to thank for that.
His quest to match Dr. Eric Heiden will start on February 13 with the 5000m.
Here's hoping he makes some Black history of his own in a few weeks.